FIRST-STRING Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

first-string

adjective

ˈfərs(t)-ˈstriŋ

Definition of first-string

as in excellent

of the very best kind a first-string rendition of the musical piece

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of first-string If Willis works with the first-string offensive line as expected, he’ll at times be matched up against Chargers interior defensive linemen Teair Tart, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jamaree Caldwell and Justin Eboigbe. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 There was a moment Tuesday morning during walk-throughs when Barron lined up as first-string nickel. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026 Defensively, the Falcons played much of their first-string front seven, or at least rotational players, throughout the first half. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Burrow and the first-string offensive line played two series, with the franchise quarterback going 5 of 6 for 39 yards. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first-string

Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string

Adjective

An individual company can maintain excellent controls and favorable claims experience while still facing higher pricing because the market has deteriorated around it.

— Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Food and drink The property’s on-site restaurant serves decent New American fare in a room that offers the same excellent views as the penthouses, or on the hotel’s delightful terrace during the warmer months.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

This is the time of year the prime starters separate themselves from average ones.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Availability rates in a few corridors — Park Avenue, the World Trade Center — are under 10 percent, rents in some buildings have gone up 20 percent since the winter, and brokers are even starting to see bidding wars over prime office spaces.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of prime

Adjective

Jordan Lawler pinch-ran but was caught stealing on a terrific throw by Marlins catcher Joe Mack.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Scott tears into the Bard’s lines — his Hamlet is terrific — and the spotlight is more on his sense of humor than his pain.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrific

Adjective

Together, the 24 songs make for a stellar one-and-a-half hour long sonic journey.

— Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
But aside from those two stellar picks, there’s another season of the Emmy favorite Slow Horses, some new blood on The Traitors, and a new Saoirse Ronan flick.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of stellar

Adjective

Typically, Mora will pick up the ball in the left channel and run at a defender, before slowing to a jog, then use his superb balance to burst past his flat-footed opponent on either side, like in this example against Fiorentina last month.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Cam Schlitter gave up one run and two hits in eight superb innings, and the New York Yankees scored five two-out runs in the 10th in a series-clinching, 6-3 victory over the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of superb

Adjective

Indeed, as much as Chicago has looked to past mayors as larger-than-life figures, the city rarely has accomplished anything great without the active involvement of its business community.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Evolution When asked about the greatest innovation of humans, people will often say language or fire.

— Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of great

Browse Nearby Words

first-rateness

first-string

firth

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of first-string

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

volition

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes